Politely decline when necessary, and remember that it’s perfectly acceptable to allocate your time and energy to what matters most to you. Saying no is a powerful skill when it comes to setting boundaries. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, substance use may be even higher than in previous years.
How to Set Healthy Boundaries for the Holidays
But splitting the cost with others could be a better solution. Nearly 3 in 10 Americans who used credit cards to pay for holiday gifts last year (28%) still haven’t paid off reframing holidays in early recovery their balances, according to a 2024 Holiday Spending Report from NerdWallet. Don’t wait until the last minute to spring your plans on your parents. If you’re deviating from your usual plans, your parents may need to alter their arrangements, or they may experience some disappointment and may need a little time to work through those feelings. If you’re like most couples, it’s time to begin having the “What are we doing for the holidays? No matter how long you’ve been together, figuring out how to divvy up the holidays can be tricky.
Volunteer or Plan Other Activities
Numerous studies show gratitude increases happiness, well-being, and boosts those feel-good endorphins like dopamine and serotonin. Gratitude increases self-esteem, physical and mental health, and helps us give and forgive more freely. Gratitude is also positively correlated with recovery because we will navigate hardships and challenges with a positive attitude when we are grateful.
Communicate Your Plan
- Now is the time to figure out what specific boundaries you need to set during the holiday season.
- Let’s embark on this adventure together and emerge from the holidays not just unscathed, but stronger and more connected to our health goals than ever before.
- You can turn this time of year into a more pleasant and happy occasion.
- It’s also wise to avoid using several buy now, pay later plans at the same time.
Financial boundaries are just as important as personal ones. Setting a budget for holiday spending can prevent financial stress. Plan your gift-giving, travel, and entertainment expenses ahead of time, and stick to your budget. In between making sure everyone in the family is on time and celebrating safely, make sure you’re also leaving some unstructured time for recharging. Keep these five tips handy to help you stay present and focused through this holiday season and into the new year.
Tips for taking control of the holidays (so they don’t take control of you)
The conflicting demands and desires placed on couples during the holidays can lead to conflict and resentment across the family system. The holidays can seriously disrupt your routines, and the things that help you be physically and mentally resilient can easily fly out the window. Most of us are a lot less diligent about keeping up our good habits this time of year. According to gallup polls, frequent exercise typically falls to its lowest level of the year in December. Well, it looks like the holiday season is upon us (already??).